Best Winery Tour 2026

1. Wilson Creek Winery | Temecula, CA

Hop aboard an open-air tractor for a behind-the-scenes look at Wilson Creek's regenerative farming practices, where great wine begins with living soil. Visitors travel through working vineyard blocks to see how cover crops, sheep grazing and biodiversity restore the land, enjoying a tasting flight along the way. The experience goes beyond vines and barrels. Guests learn how healthy soil creates vibrant wines and a thriving ecosystem. Led by Vineyard Manager Greg Pennyroyal, the tour embodies Wilson Creek's mission to inspire connection between people, the land and the life that makes extraordinary wine possible.

2. Archery Summit | Willamette Valley, OR

Experience Willamette Valley's only bedrock-dug wine cave on this 90-minute guided tour through Archery Summit's estate. Founded in 1993 and dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir, the winery showcases its five LIVE-certified vineyards with tastings that reveal the character of the Dundee Hills' volcanic soils. Guests sample current releases in the cool, atmospheric caves before finishing in the tasting lounge. It's an immersive exploration of site-driven winemaking, sustainability and the artistry that defines Oregon Pinot Noir.

3. Tour de St. Francis | Santa Rosa, CA

This eco-friendly, pedal-powered trolley tour weaves through the Wild Oak Vineyard, guiding guests through sustainable vineyard practices at a leisurely pace. Participants taste wine right among the vines as guides share winemaking and viticulture insights. The family-owned winery's 50-year commitment to stewardship and community engagement shines through every stop, making this lively, green way to explore Sonoma's terroir both educational and deeply connected to the region's legacy.

4. Francis Ford Coppola Winery | Geyersville, CA

Enter a cinematic world at this eclectic estate filled with movie memorabilia, including Don Corleone's desk. Book a private Wine & Bocce session, combining playful sport with curated wine tasting. It's a tour blending Hollywood's charm, Napa Valley's scenery and relaxed elegance that appeals to wine lovers and cinephiles alike.

5. Chateau Ste. Michelle | Woodinville, WA

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington's founding winery, brings French-inspired architecture, manicured gardens and nearly six decades of craftsmanship to every visit. Tours highlight the region's winemaking heritage, the estate's award-winning Rieslings and a dynamic culinary and music program. Guests can also explore the scenic 118-acre property and learn about the winery's community partnerships, from Seattle Children's Hospital to Washington State University's Wine Science Center.

6. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery |
Hammondsport, NY

Tour this historic Finger Lakes estate autumn through spring for a seated tasting amid stunning fall foliage. Visitors enjoy panoramic views and award-winning cool-climate wines, complemented by guided tasting insight. The winery's long legacy and seasonal beauty elevate it to a consistently acclaimed U.S. winery tour experience.

7. Castello di Amorosa | Calistoga, CA

Step into medieval Europe with a guided tour of this full-scale 14th-century Tuscan castle replica. Guests explore upper halls like the Chapel and Great Hall, descend to the Armory and Torture Chamber and finish with a personalized tasting of five wines from Reserve, Current-Release or Libero offerings. The castle's hand-crafted architecture and immersive storytelling make this one of California's most theatrical and memorable winery experiences.

8. Schramsberg Vineyards | Calistoga, CA

Step into candlelit, hand-dug caves and learn the méthode traditionnelle of sparkling wine production at one of Napa Valley's most storied estates. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Schramsberg crafts wines with fruit from cool-climate North Coast vineyards and ages them on the yeast in historic tunnels lined with bottles. The family's enduring commitment to quality and Napa's preservation adds meaning to a tour where atmosphere, history and craftsmanship sparkle in equal measure.

9. Oliver Winery | Bloomington, IN

Indiana's oldest winery offers charming garden-and-pond surroundings with intimate production tours and curated tastings. Guests can also enjoy casual wine flights outdoors in shaded picnic areas. With approachable wines—from dry reds to seasonal spritzers—and welcoming grounds, it suits both newcomers and aficionados seeking relaxed charm.

10. Biltmore Estate Winery | Asheville, NC

Nestled on the grounds of America's grandest private home, this tour blends Gilded Age elegance with vineyard ambience. Guests enjoy barrel-room guided tours and reserve tastings of estate-grown wines, all within opulent surroundings. It's an experience that marries historic charm with wine sophistication.

FINALISTS
Jordan Vineyard & Winery | Healdsburg, CA
Ken Wright Cellars | Carlton, OR
La Crema | Windsor, CA
Ravines Wine Cellars | Hammondsport, NY
Robert Mondavi Winery | Napa, CA

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Pamela & Gary Baker

Pam and Gary Baker are freelance food, wine, and travel writers living in Northern California. They have written for local, national, and international publications including WineTraveler, BBC Travel, LuxeBeat, Best Wineries, Wander with Wonder, and more. Pam is also the former editor of Sacramento Lifestyle Magazine. They love train travel, small ship sailing, and exploring wine regions throughout the world. Follow their adventures at pamandgarybaker.com.

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Debbra Dunning Brouilette

Debbra Dunning Brouillette has always been a tropical girl. Like a fish out of water, she was born and raised in the Midwest, but Florida vacations opened her world to sun, sand and turquoise water. On her first Caribbean trip, a snorkeling excursion introduced her to the incredible world that exists below the surface of the sea. The fish out of water was hooked. As a certified scuba diver, she enjoys exploring the reefs but also loves visiting aquariums. She is also a self-described "foodie" and enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her. Follow her at tropicaltravelgirl.com.

Mary Farah

Mary Farah is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. In addition to her own website, Along Comes Mary, she contributes to Go World Travel Magazine; Food, Wine Travel Magazine; Ventura County Mom Collective; and Big Blend Radio Magazine. She is a proud member and former executive board member of IFWTWA, the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. Follow along with her adventures on her website, www.alongcomesmaryblog.com.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia, known as the ConsumerQueen, is a full-time content creator with over 20 years of experience helping people save money and make savvy decisions. Her mission is to teach others to save where they can so they can spend on what they love. Melissa shares the best products to make life easier and also owns RoamingMyPlanet and The Oklahoma Homesteader, where she continues to inspire and educate her audience.

Amy Piper

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

Penny Sadler

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer covering wine, food, travel and lifestyle topics. Currently residing in the Lone Star State, her glass is always full, preferably of something white and sparkling. Her work has appeared in Culture Cheese Magazine, Cheese Professor, Matador Network, Inside Hook, Alcohol Professor, Vintner Project, and elsewhere. Penny has appeared on numerous broadcasts as an expert on topics ranging from wine tourism to skin cancer to packing for international travel. She is a Wine Spirits Education Trust certified wine specialist and a member of SATW. Read more at www.adventuresofacarryon.com.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.